Sword

Sword – Facts and Information

Medieval Sword

Sword was the most favorite choice of weapon of the knight in armor during the Middle Ages. It was so widely used that even after introduction of firearms, the uses of sword did not decrease, but rather proliferated its type. Medieval combatants used two types of swords.

One is a single-handed small sword with pointed end and the other one is a powerful two-handed sword with a rounded end. Arabs in Damascus used to make the best sword blades. Also the Vikings and Saxons were the eminent swordsmith.

Sword History

It is not clear when and where sword was first appeared. The popular belief is that sword came from dagger during the Bronze Age in 3000 BC. At the beginning stage of Bronze Age, swords were made from cooper, mostly from bronze, but at later stage iron completely replaced bronze. The iron-made swords were slightly stronger and harder than the bronze-made swords.

Types of Swords

There are many variations of swords. The most notable one is modern sabre. It is a single-edged curved sword used on the horseback. Additionally, karabela, szabla, shashka were used in the 18th and 19th centuries. Near Eastern sword such as pulwar, shamshir (Persia), Talwar (North India), and Southeast Asian swords are distinguishable.

The Sri Lankan one-edged sword called kastane is used in traditional ceremonies. Kastane is also depicted in the Sri Lankan flag. Japanese Samurais weilded a single-edged sword called katana in the early 15th centuries. The blade of the sword was so sharp that it could cut anybody into pieces.

Sword vs Axe

Swords have several advantages over the axe. Sword is more defensive and protective than the axe is. It can slash and stab a body, while the axe can only chop. Unlike swords, axe is difficult to manage while riding on horse.

Sword Training

Swords fighting skills was a pressing needs in the medieval period. Swords training include practicing new moves, defending and managing swords effectively and thrusting the target as efficiently as possible.

Medieval Weapons - Facts and Information

Sword is one of the type of weapons that was used by feudal armies during the Middle Ages.
All men in The Middle Ages were expected to know how to fight. They were expected to be readily
available when called to fight for the king. Their lives were organized and structured to have
military training incorporated in their daily lives.

Expertise in the use of medieval weapon such as Sword and understanding the strategy of
Middle Age warfare was crucial and played an important part in Medieval Life. Sword training
include practicing new moves, accuracy, defending, and managing battles including close contact
fights using Sword
.